James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Question 462: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the steps she will take to reverse the decision to remove four special needs assistant posts from a school (details supplied) in Dublin 2 from 1 September 2010; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26338/10]

Lucinda Creighton (Dublin South East, Fine Gael)
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Question 469: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if she will reverse the decision made by the special needs assistants review to suppress the special needs assistant posts in a school (details supplied) in Dublin 2. [26433/10]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 462 and 469 together.

The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is an independent agency with responsibility for determining the appropriate staffing levels in relation to the support of pupils with special educational needs in all mainstream and special schools. This includes determining the level of SNA support in schools. The NCSE operates within my Department's policy in allocating this support. Neither I, nor the Department of Education and Skills, interfere with the allocation decisions taken by the NCSE in schools – whether such decisions result in an increased or reduced allocation to the schools. All schools have the names and contact details of their local SENO. Parents may also contact their local SENO directly to discuss their child's special educational needs, using the contact details available on www.ncse.ie.